Stein Addresses DMV Issues

Gov. Josh Stein, North Carolina DMV Commissioner Paul Tine, and Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins held a press conference yesterday to address ongoing issues at state DMV locations.

Among the issues addressed were long wait times, difficulty booking appointments, and staffing unable to keep up with population growth.

Several solutions were presented, including a new website, departmental reorganization, and better pay and benefits for DMV employees. Stein says he plans to create 85 new positions in order to improve efficiency.

One of the first steps to address these issues is the reopening of walk-in services on Saturdays, beginning today.

Earthquake in Western NC

A 2.3-magnitude earthquake hit the southwestern part of the state early Friday morning. No damage was reported, and the quake could be felt as far south as Clemson, South Carolina.

It’s the first earthquake that’s been centered in North Carolina since August 2024, when two, 2.2-magnitude earthquakes hit near Sparta.

The earthquake comes as severe weather was forecasted for the state, with six counties facing tornado watches yesterday.

A Local Teen to Represent the US

A North Carolina teen has been training on Lake Norman for the World Games in motosurfing, a little-known sport that blends elements of surfing, jet skiing, and snowboarding.

Motosurf competitors ride fully electric, self-powered surfboards that allow surfing without waves or boats, offering speed control and versatility across nearly any body of water. The carbon-fiber motorized board can reach speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

Anna Burk, a junior at Lake Norman High School and the fastest female in America on a motorized board, said, “To get to go to the World Games is a very big deal.”

The World Games are set for August in China, where Burk will be joined on Team USA by her father, Ted Burk, along with Antony Squire and Rebecca Smith.

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➤ Wake Forest: Investigators are looking into a fire, which they deemed suspicious, that burned nine vehicles but caused no structural damage to a nearby building. No one was injured in the fire. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A church pastor faces 30 years in prison on fraud charges after receiving over $400,000 in COVID-19 loans for non-existent businesses and ministries. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The family of a man killed in a car crash is calling for the dismissal of two officers, alleging dashcam footage shows they neglected their duties. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: A driver says he blacked out before hopping a curb and smashing into a building shared by a gym and photo studio. The driver walked away, and no one else was injured. (More)

➤ UNC-Charlotte: A UNC employee has gone viral after an undercover video showed her explaining how she circumvents the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion ban, with the clip garnering over 3.4 million views. (More)

➤ Southport: Heavy rainfall and a king tide flood overwhelmed a water collection system, causing 17,000 gallons of untreated wastewater to flow into the Cape Fear River. (More)

Thank you to everyone who supported Flyover North Carolina yesterday—your generosity keeps us going. We rely on readers like you to power independent journalism, so if you haven’t yet, please consider chipping in today to help us keep bringing you the news without the noise. 

➤ National Fishing and Boating Week will be celebrated across North Carolina the first week of June, with classes, demonstrations, and competitions taking place in multiple locations. (More)

➤ Duke’s Cooper Flagg made over $28 million in college thanks to multimillion-dollar deals with Fanatics and New Balance. (More)

➤ The Charlotte FC Academy announced eight athletes from their graduating class will be playing Division I soccer. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | PGA | LPGA | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ North Carolina’s first deaf legislative assistant is able to communicate with journalists, constituents, and colleagues using innovative technology such as UbiDuo. (More)

➤ NCDOT is celebrating 35 years of the Carolinian, a train that runs daily between Charlotte and New York, and 30 years of the Piedmont service connecting Charlotte and Raleigh. (More)

➤ Venus flytraps, native plants to the wetlands of the Carolina coast, face threats from plant poachers and home developments as the Wilmington area grows. (More)

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What do you call soft drinks?

1. Soda
2. Coke
3. Pop
4. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you expecting a state tax refund this year?

1. Not a chance: 46%
2. Already got one: 35%
3. Still hopeful: 19%

Where were the Mecklenburg Resolves signed?

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